Site Rules And “Mis-de-mean-ers”

* These rules are not presented to be annoying or in any way unchristian, but rather to provide boundaries so all who visit this site, will enjoy not only ‘looking around’ but also enjoy an occasional discussion. It’s just that Christians are following a different ‘Drummer’ than the rest of the world. Therefore, Christians will be held to a higher standard. We have a standard on how to treat others, especially in the body of Christ.

* This applies even when ‘hot-topics’ are ‘on the board’ for discussion or comment. Some feel there is an exception when certain subjects are ‘on the table’ and their ‘last spiritual nerve gets stepped on’. However, it is especially at this time we need the exhortation to be kind, gentle and fore-bearing one another in love. Sometimes we just have to disagree for a time and study. Dad used to say to his class or to the assembly, “Now repeat after me, “I just don’t agree with you on that.” Sometimes they would have a hard time ‘getting into it’ and he would say, “Come on class, get involved here.” Repeat after me, “I JUST DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.” The class would respond, “I JUST DON’T AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.” Then he would say, “Brethren, we can disagree… it is ok, and still be brethren.”

* (2Ti 2:24-26 NIV) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

(1Pe 3:8-11 NIV) 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

(Jam 3:13 NIV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Looking back over the history of the Restoration Movement, you find there are particular points in time when unity hung in the balance, but intolerance ruled and division resulted. Some periodicals, publications, bulletins and pulpits seemed to be drawing ‘lines in the sand’. There seems to have been little understanding of the concept of Grace, and unity, was brushed aside. As much as we dislike the term, ‘change’, we could use some ‘change’ in direction or else we will splinter and divide until…

* No judging motives here…

* No blasphemy (shouldn’t have to define this). God is good, don’t accuse Him of evil.

* Stick to the subject. If you desperately want to discuss a topic, ask politely and maybe it’ll happen. Goading, lecturing, and condescending will only get you blocked.

* Try to make sense. We all have trouble making our points at times, but persistent incoherence will get you blocked.

* Use your real email address. If I try to contact you via the email you posted and it bounces, I’ll blacklist your e-mail address and close your account. The emails aren’t there to be sold to spammers. It’s so I can talk to you privately. Lie to me about your email address, and it’s an instant blacklist.

Violators will be blacklisted — that is, the software will block your comments. If I moderate your comments, the only way to get un-moderated is to email me privately and ask. Belligerent, rude, goading, or insulting emails will only get you blocked from my email software, too (and I won’t respond). The way out of the blacklist is repentance, not a continuation of the behavior that got you there in the first place.

Emails

When I receive emails, I may answer personally or I may post the question on the blog — anonymously. I won’t necessarily ask permission to refer the question to the readers — but I’ll always remove identifying information unless you have told me that it is OK to share your name and/or contact information.

You see, one way to avoid being overwhelmed by email responses is to turn email into blog posts — and emails often produce the most interesting, helpful, and vigorously discussed questions. The readers often offer excellent thoughts that I’d never have come to on my own.

If you don’t want your email posted on the internet, even anonymously, say so. But that means I also may not have time to answer. I mean, some emails ask very difficult questions, and if I tried to answer them all privately and maintain the blog, well, I’d have to give up the blog

Site membership and use requires your agreement to these rules of conduct and to the Terms of Service.

(Thanks to Jay Guin, (oneinjesus.info) for his good ideas on “Site Rules”.)